Grants for Pre-Apprenticeship Programs for High-School Students

Governor Gregoire recently announced that 14 Washington school districts were awarded funding to support efforts to expand and encourage pre-apprenticeship programs at the high-school level.

The grants, totaling $350,000 in all, originated as part of Governor Gregoire’s 2006 legislative proposal to expand and strengthen apprenticeship opportunities for high school students. This is the second year the Legislature funded the program.

In these “Running Start for the Trades” programs, high schools work closely with local apprenticeship programs to prepare students to enter apprenticeship immediately after graduation. The grants will be used to create opportunities, as well as to encourage and support students to ensure they have the job skills and the academic prerequisites to succeed in an apprenticeship program.

Schools receiving the $40,000 two-year Apprenticeship Pilot Grants are:

• Whatcom Tech Prep Consortium, Bellingham
• Edmonds School District
• Kennewick School District
• New Market Skills Center, Tumwater

Schools receiving the $19,000, two year Apprenticeship Incentive grants are:

• Marysville School District
• Omak School District
• Trout Lake School District
• Kelso School District
• Mount Adams School District, White Swan
• Lynden School District
• Selkirk School District, Metaline Falls 
• Evergreen School District, Vancouver
• SeaTac Occupational Skills Center
• Seattle Public Schools

Apprenticeship rule changes under development

Changes to the WAC rules governing registered apprenticeship are underway.  First, a change was proposed to the criteria for both new and existing apprenticeship programs. These amendments were needed in order to be consistent through the section as well as with the federal government’s definition of need.

A public hearing was held in September. No further changes were needed, and the rule was adopted as proposed.

Also in September, L&I began rulemaking to require all new apprenticeship programs and new occupations for existing programs recommended for approval by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC) to be given provisional approval for a period of one year. 

Please contact L&I’s Apprenticeship Services at 360-902-5320 if you have questions about these rule changes.

New Staff in Apprenticeship

In September, we hired Jody Robbins, a new Apprenticeship Consultant 4 in Tumwater. Jody recently worked as an education coordinator for Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC, was instrumental in creating and implementing the incredibly successful Pathways to Apprenticeship workshops for K – 14 educations around the state, and worked with community colleges to promote apprenticeship training on a local level.  He completed an apprenticeship in sheet metal, in addition to completing both a B.S. degree in secondary education and a B.A. in labor education.

You can contact him at 360-902-6412, or e-mail to rojo235@Lni.wa.gov    

Apprenticeship Symposium a Great Success!

In July, Apprenticeship Services sponsored a symposium on Apprenticeship Recruitment and Retention Excellence. This was a day for apprenticeship training coordinators to learn about and discuss best practices and models of excellence for recruitment, retention, and marketing among registered apprenticeship programs. 

The participants attended a variety of workshops and heard from employers who are committed to promoting construction trade careers, as well as from apprenticeship consultants who are doing a great job of recruiting diverse applicants.

Over 60 people attended the one-day event.

There will be similar workshops and events offered in the future to educate the apprenticeship community on marketing, recruiting and retaining diverse and qualified applicants into state-approved apprenticeship programs.

If you’d like to be informed about ongoing Apprenticeship events and activities, click on this link to join the Apprenticeship Services electronic mailing list: www.Lni.wa.gov/Main/Listservs/Apprenticeship .

New Apprenticeship Consultant in Central Washington

In September, Julie Lindstrom accepted the position of Apprenticeship Consultant for Central Washington. Julie has done a great job in the position as a temporary employee since August 2006.  Julie will work out of the Kennewick office. She can be reached at (509) 735-0119 or by e-mail at linz235@Lni.wa.gov.

In this 1987 incident, a domestic hot water tank exploded, destroying the kitchen in this Longview home.

Boiler Program gives customers bang for their buck

Marty Brown, Governor Governor’s Budget Director, recently gave a great example of how laws -- such as speed limit laws -- don’t necessarily promote compliance, but often people will comply if they are convinced it’s the right thing to do. Recycling is a good example of "voluntary compliance."

The Boiler Program is working to achieving this kind of compliance by giving our customers value for their dollar. 

The Boiler Program’s first priority is safety. The main purpose of inspections is to prevent catastrophic failure of the more than 105,000 boilers and pressure vessels we regulate in the state.  Our inspectors carry around pictures of water heaters, boilers and air tank explosions so that customers can see what a failure looks like. These failures can cause loss of life and property, as well as lost productivity. It has been quite a few years since anyone was killed by a boiler or pressure vessel failure, but the potential is always there.

If a water heater has the same explosive force as many sticks of dynamite ,you can imagine what the explosive force of a high pressure boiler failure would be.   

Another great reason for having your boiler inspected is energy efficiency.  A mineral deposit buildup of as little as 1/8 inch in a boiler can cause nearly 25 percent additional fuel usage. Finding and removing soot and mineral deposits can save you thousands of dollars throughout the course of a year.

As the days get shorter and the temperatures cooler, we will all start turning up our thermostats for another heating season. Just like getting your car checked out before taking it on that family vacation, this is a great time to have your boiler serviced. Just think of the money you could save. 

Besides inspecting water heaters and boilers, we also inspect pressure vessels.  Pressure vessel inspections include making sure they are built to an acceptable standard and are equipped with devices to prevent them from exploding.  Besides a visual inspection, we also test the metal thickness of the vessel to ensure that it is still safe to operate. 

Most vessels, such as compressed air tanks, rust from the inside out. This deterioration cannot be found by looking at the tank. Our inspectors carry testing equipment that determines the metal thickness of a tank. Customers who have this information are able to budget for new equipment before the old equipment reaches an unsafe condition.  If you were to hire a private company to perform this type of testing, it would cost at least $200. L&I’s average cost is about $30, which includes a recent fee increase. 

Board of Boiler Rules News

The board is currently working on rules that impact both the petrochemical and nuclear companies in our state.

Another issue that recently came before the board was a request for statewide “boiler operator licensing.” This proposal was brought to Representative Steve Conway by the International Union of Operating Engineers. Representative Conway asked L&I to do a study on whether this licensing would be appropriate. The board held a special stakeholder meeting in August to consider this issue. L&I will prepare a final report to present to Representative Conway in December.

Changes to the Board of Boiler Rules

Farewell to board members Craig Hopkins and Faye Deitz, who left in August at the end of their terms. We thank Craig and Faye for their commitment to public safety and for sharing their wisdom, experience, and time. As board chair for several years, Craig set a high standard of excellence and gave everyone an opportunity to learn and continue the board’s work in the future.

We also want to welcome two new members to the Board of Boiler Rules. Governor Gregoire appointed Robert Olson, of A.O. Smith Water Products Co., representing manufacturers,  and Larry Trenda, PSF Industries, representing mechanical engineers. Both bring many years experience in the industry. We thank them for their willingness to give their time and abilities to serve the citizens of Washington. 

Staff news 

Bobbe Hundley, Boiler Program Administrative Assistant, left for a promotion with Department of Fish & Wildlife. We miss her caring personality and wonderful sense of humor.

Welcome to our new Administrative Assistant, Alicia Curry, who joined us from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Jan Rohila, Education Director at BIAW presenting a class on Green Building at our recent Contractor Training Day in Edmonds Washington.

Contractor Training Days

Contractor Training Days are workshops specifically designed for the construction industry to assist with all aspects of their business – from taxes and regulatory requirements to bidding and estimating, marketing, and dealing with difficult customers. Over 3,000 contractors have attended these events around the state and continue to give the program high marks for content and assistance to their businesses.

A recent Edmonds attendee had this to say: If it hadn’t been for these workshops, I am not sure how we could have kept up with all of the requirements as new business owners. Thank you and keep it up!

There is an opportunity to attend a Contractor Training Day coming up on February 8, 2008 at the Labor and Industries headquarters in Tumwater.

Other events will be posted on our web site as soon as they are scheduled.  

For more information or to sign up for this or future events, visit Contractor Training Events.

Changes to the Contractor Registration Law

A new law this year brought changes to the Contractor Registration law. For example:

• Specialty contractors are now limited to one trade or craft. Anyone wishing to do two or more will need to upgrade their registration to general contractor.
• Property developers, construction consultants and property “flippers” now must be registered as general contractors.
• Tree fallers and cabinet installers must now register as contractors.
• Contractors offering to perform residential work with a projected value of $1,000 or more or commercial work with a value of $1,000 - $60,000 must present their customers with a “Notice to Customer” disclosure statement, have the customer sign a copy and maintain that copy for three years from the first date of work on the project. A sample of this document can be found on the L&I website at Model Disclosure Statement. Contractors who have been issued an infraction and wish to appeal must include a $200 bond with their appeal.
• The prevailing party to a lawsuit involving a contractor’s bond must supply L&I with a copy of the settlement documentation within 10 days.

Additional information on these new requirements will be added to the Contractor web site as it becomes available.

L&I will be adopting rules to implement these changes in the law. If you would like to be notified of the public hearings, please contact Shari Purves-Reiter at 360-902-4733 or e-mail to purs235@Lni.wa.gov.

Consumer Assistance Program for new manufactured-home buyers

New changes to the law this year gave L&I the authority to handle consumer complaints involving structural and product defects in manufactured homes.

If you own a new manufactured home, we can help you work with the manufacturer or dealer to correct defects in the home. Contact the Consumer Assistance Program at 1-800-647-0982.

Electrical fee reduction continues

I’m pleased to report that temporary fee reductions of about

5 percent for electrical permits will continue until Dec. 31, 2008. These fee reductions first became effective on Jan. 1, 2007. We continue to monitor the electrical fund balance to ensure there is no negative impact from the fee reductions.

New agreement for electrical inspections on the Suquamish Reservation

An agreement has been reached for the L&I Electrical Program to do electrical inspections and enforce Washington’s licensing laws for the Suquamish Tribe.  The agreement covers all electrical contractors and individual owners doing electrical work on the Port Madison Reservation. 

Effective immediately, anyone doing electrical work on the Suquamish Reservation should buy an L&I electrical permit prior to beginning the electrical work. Electrical contractors must follow all Washington laws for electrical licensing, supervision of electrical trainees, etc.  L&I is committed to providing the best possible electrical inspection service to the Suquamish Tribe.

Buy your electrical permit at the Bremerton L&I office or online at Permits, Fees and Inspections.

Reminder: New education requirement for electrical trainees

A change in the law adds new education requirements for electrical trainees. Beginning July 1, 2007, trainees must complete eight hours of basic electrical classroom education per year before renewing their training certificate.

Trainees renewing their training certificate after Dec. 31, 2007, must have completed their basic electrical classroom education prior to renewing their training certificate.

Trainees who attempt to renew without the required training will be placed into inactive status and cannot work until the training is completed and the training certificate is reactivated.  Because time is necessary to effectively implement this new requirement, trainees seeking renewal between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2007, will need to have only eight hours of required basic electrical classroom education. 

Upcoming Electrical Stakeholders Meetings

Stakeholder meetings will be held regularly from now through June 2008 at locations throughout the state.  The Electrical Calendar lists all meeting locations, dates and times. These meetings give you an opportunity to stay current with changes that might affect you. Attending these meetings gives you an opportunity to get your questions answered, and it gives us valued input.  Please join us at a stakeholder meeting near you. 

Another great source of information is the Electrical Currents electronic newsletter. It was created to provide guidance and information to the electrical industry in Washington. You can sign up to receive further editions, and search through eight years of back issues.

Elevator rules updated

We periodically review the elevator rules to ensure the rules are consistent with the national consensus standards, industry practices and to clarify when needed.

The following changes were recently proposed to the elevator rules:

• Updating national consensus standards to a more current version.
• Moving alteration permit and process from Part B to Part C to assist with clarification.
• Giving category 02 elevator mechanics the ability to install residential elevators.  Category 02 elevator mechanics will receive the same amount of training as category 01 elevator mechanics, therefore residential elevators is being added to category 02.
• Updating the residential-inclined elevator requirements to be consistent with the national consensus standards for enclosure and suspension.
• Reorganization of Part C to group related topics together.  For example, all machine room requirements will be together instead of spread through the chapter.

Please visit the L&I website for a copy of the proposed rules:  www.Lni.wa.gov/rules/AO04/50/0450Proposal.pdf

The rules will be adopted at the end of November and become effective Jan. 1, 2008.

Awarding agency training completed

L&I and the Washington State Auditor’s Office teemed up to assist public agencies in understanding and gaining voluntary compliance for public works contracting. The training covered small works rosters, new procedures for filing on-line intents and affidavits and more.

A total of 14 training sessions were held, with 302 attendees present representing approximately 200 governmental agencies.

Thanks to Jim Walton, L&I, and Emmaline Hoffmeister, Chris Cortines, and Sarah Walker, from the State Auditor’s Office for their support and work in planning and presenting this successful cross-agency training.

We'd also like to extend a special thanks to Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag for his support of the Prevailing Wage Program and the training.

New Wage and Hour Surveys underway

In November, we began a new survey of 10 trades to gather wage information so that we may calculate the prevailing wage to be paid to workers on pulbic works jobs.  The trades to be surveyed are:

• Painters
• Boilermakers
• Heat and frost insulators and asbestos workers
• Heating equipment mechanics
• Metal fabricators – in shop
• Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters
• Refrigeration mechanics
• Sheet-metal workers
• Sprinkler fitters

If you employ workers in any of these trades and you did not get a survey in the mail, please contact Gustavo Avilés at 360-902-4626 or by e-mail to avig235@Lni.wa.gov.

Your participation in this survey is crucial, even if you don’t bid on public work. This survey reflects local wage conditions for work performed from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. The more responses L&I gets, the closer the results will be to the actual “going rate” paid to workers in these trades throughout the state.

Prevailing Wage Survey workshops

L&I is offering two free, 90-minute workshops, each with a brief training presentation and an opportunity to get your questions answered. If you have questions about prevailing wage surveys, please plan to attend.

Spokane, Friday, Dec. 14, 10:30 to noon                   

901 N. Monroe St., Suite 100, Room 330

Tumwater, Monday, Dec. 17, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

7273 Linderson Way, SW, Room 126

New Family Leave Act Fact Sheet explains leave benefits for pregnant women

The Washington State Family Leave Act (FLA) builds on the existing similar benefits found in the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by providing additional benefits for women who are pregnant. Women employees who take leave from work for pregnancy-related conditions or childbirth and who qualify for leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act are entitled to additional leave benefits under the Washington State Family Leave Act.

These guidelines explain how the state FLA, federal FMLA, and the Washington State Human Rights Commission laws are coordinated in typical circumstances:

www.Lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/files/FamilyLeaveFAQs.pdf

Sign up for the Wage and Hour ListServe for e-mail updates

www.Lni.wa.gov/Main/Listservs/WRWageHour.asp

Other L&I information

At L&I's Claim & Account Center, employers, workers, doctors, RETRO groups and third-party administrators can check the status of workplace injuries, check employer accounts, and send information to L&I. The Claim & Account Center is fast, secure, easy to use, and it's free!

Events

Contractor Training Days

Feb. 8, 2008
Tumwater
Labor and Industries headquaters
7273 Linderson Way
Driving Directions

April 11, 2008
Seattle Central Community College
Wood Construction Center
Corner of 23rd Ave S and S King St.

Register for these free contractor training days.

Consumer Education Events

Jan. 25-27, 2008
Bellevue Home Show

Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue

Feb. 16-24, 2008
Seattle Home Show 2

Qwest Event Center, Seattle

Feb. 22-24, 2008

Regional Home & Garden Show

Trac Center,  Pasco

Feb. 29 - March 2, 2008

Whatcom Home & Garden Show

Lynden Fairgrounds, Lynden

Prevailing Wage Survey Workshops

Spokane

Dec. 14, 10:30 to noon

901 N. Monroe St., Ste. 100,

Room 330

Tumwater

Dec. 17, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

L&I Headquarters Building

7273 Linderson Way SW,

Room 126

Office of Information and Assistance: 1-800-547-8367

Contractor Registration Verification: 1-800-647-0982

Report-a-Fraud Hotline
(to report unregistered contractors):
1-888-811-5974

Employment Standards Information (minimum wage, overtime, working conditions, teen workers, prevailing wage, agricultural workers):
1-866-219-7321

Issue 15, Fall 2007

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
Quarterly Update is an e-mail newsletter distributed four times a year by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries' Specialty Compliance Services division. Receiving this newsletter is the best way to keep up to date on Specialty Compliance Services' activities and issues.

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Trades and Licensing web site: www.LNI.wa.gov/
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